Whimbrel and Greenshanks?

[DavyG]

Anita and I have just returned from a long walk along the river Deben at Woodbridge.

For the first time as it's so dull here, we took only the binos and no cameras.

We spotted a couple of, what we thought were simply Curlews, however we've now checked through our reference books and feel sure these were actually Whimbrels.

In addition, we saw around four single birds which we can only identify as Greenshanks.

Can anyone confirm that these would be likely in this part of Suffolk at this time of year?

Thanks,

Dave

[Wild-Woman]

Hi Davy. Sounds like a pleasant walk. Could have done with a leg stretch myself this afternoon but I decided to clean the windows instead....to let some sunshine in (joke).
Can't answer your query about the whimbrels/greenshanks but it does sound likely.

This grey weather is driving us all nuts!!!

[DavyG]

Hi Jules,

It was a pleasant walk, we were surprised at the number of different waders we saw, no Kingfisher today though.

We've been off for the last 10 days and have visited Lackford Lakes, Minsmere, where we bumped into Hobjob and saw a Bittern!, Wrabness, Flatford Mill and our local patch.

All in all it's been a nice break, although I wish the sun would shine a bit more.

I hope all is good with both you and Chris.

Dave

[Tracey.A]

Hi Dave, the Whimbrel's that come to Britain only breed in Scotland as far as I'm aware, but now they are leaving for sunnier climes (South Africa) and stop along the eastern, southern and south west coast before leaving us untill they return mid-April and May.

Whimbrel do look very similar to Curlews, but their bill isn't quite as curved and is shorter.

Tracey

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by DavyG

Anita and I have just returned from a long walk along the river Deben at Woodbridge.

For the first time as it's so dull here, we took only the binos and no cameras.

We spotted a couple of, what we thought were simply Curlews, however we've now checked through our reference books and feel sure these were actually Whimbrels.

In addition, we saw around four single birds which we can only identify as Greenshanks.

Can anyone confirm that these would be likely in this part of Suffolk at this time of year?

Thanks,

Dave

Your post brought back many happy memories of when I lived and worked in that area of Suffolk!

I've checked my own bird watching records, and I once saw a Greenshank at the end of August at Martlesham Creek (which branches off the Deben not far from Woodbridge). I also saw a Whimbrel once on the Deben at Woodbridge in the middle of August. So I'd say your sightings are both perfectly possible.

Hope that helps,

Pete

[DavyG]

Hi Tracey,

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

We see Curlews regularly on this stretch of river, these birds looked to be a bit smaller and had a greyer speckling on their backs than those we normally see.

There were a few Curlews around also but these birds appeared different.

If Whimbrels have begun their migration and stop on the Eastern coast of UK, I guess we may have been lucky.

Thanks again.

Dave

[Tursiops2]

Hi DavyG
You're probably right on both counts, they're regular on the estuaries around here at this time of year and I've seen both on the Orwell recently.
T2

[DavyG]

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

Your post brought back many happy memories of when I lived and worked in that area of Suffolk!

I've checked my own bird watching records, and I once saw a Greenshank at the end of August at Martlesham Creek (which branches off the Deben not far from Woodbridge). I also saw a Whimbrel once on the Deben at Woodbridge in the middle of August. So I'd say your sightings are both perfectly possible.

Hope that helps,

Pete

Hi Pete,

It's a pity you're still not in the area, there's quite a lot to see.

Your reply is encouraging, we saw the first Greenshank with a mile of Martlesham Creek, with the Whimbrels being in the stretch below the railway station.

Thanks for taking the time to post a reply.

Dave

[DavyG]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

Hi DavyG
You're probably right on both counts, they're regular on the estuaries around here at this time of year and I've seen both on the Orwell recently.
T2

Thanks Mark,

It's good to get confirmation of these sightings from experts, Anita and I are still learning!

Cheers,

Dave

[Kayleigh]

And the moral of this is..

always take your camera's

[Tracey.A]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

And the moral of this is..

always take your camera's

You're not wrong Kayleigh! Although in my case, probably best left at home! I'm still practicing I am determined to become a better photographer - one day

Tracey

[DavyG]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

And the moral of this is..

always take your camera's

Tell me about it Kayleigh!

This was the first time we've gone out without them in a long time, mind you the light was rubbish and I'd have needed to use the Bigma.

All we need is a bright day this week and we'll take a walk there again.

Dave

[DavyG]

We visited the River Deben again today, taking cameras with us this time.

Unfortunately, there were no Whimbrels to be seen and even the Curlews were only distant dots, we did however see a couple of Greenshank, I even managed to get a pic of one, apologies for the quality.



As Pete mentioned he had happy memories of the area, here are a couple of pics, looking up and down the River Deben, I'm sure he'll recognise the views.





Dave

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Tracey.A

You're not wrong Kayleigh! Although in my case, probably best left at home! I'm still practicing I am determined to become a better photographer - one day

Tracey

Keep at it Tracy..You will surprise yourself one day..

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by DavyG

We visited the River Deben again today, taking cameras with us this time.

Unfortunately, there were no Whimbrels to be seen and even the Curlews were only distant dots, we did however see a couple of Greenshank, I even managed to get a pic of one, apologies for the quality.



As Pete mentioned he had happy memories of the area, here are a couple of pics, looking up and down the River Deben, I'm sure he'll recognise the views.





Dave

Nice shots Davy..
shame about the Whimbrels never seen one.

[DavyG]

Thanks Kayleigh.

I'll try to visit there again when the tide is a bit higher, I might get a chance to photograph a Whimbrel then, that way we'll both know what they look like!

Dave

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by DavyG

Thanks Kayleigh.

I'll try to visit there again when the tide is a bit higher, I might get a chance to photograph a Whimbrel then, that way we'll both know what they look like!

Dave

Just looked on the rspb site, they make a beautiful noise, they sound really exotic..

[deer boy]

Nice shots Davy, hope you get your shot of the Whimbrel

[DavyG]

Thanks Deer Boy.

Unfortunately, real life kicks in from Monday and I have to return to work after 2 weeks off, that will severely restrict my time for photography.

Ah well, there's always weekends!

Dave

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by DavyG

We visited the River Deben again today, taking cameras with us this time.

Unfortunately, there were no Whimbrels to be seen and even the Curlews were only distant dots, we did however see a couple of Greenshank, I even managed to get a pic of one, apologies for the quality.



As Pete mentioned he had happy memories of the area, here are a couple of pics, looking up and down the River Deben, I'm sure he'll recognise the views.





Dave

Thanks DavyG, I do recognise the views - nice photos. Martlesham Creek that I mentioned in my earlier post is beyond the wooded hill in the second of your photos.

I remember seeing a seal in the river Deben at Woodbridge once!

[RobinP]

Look at the heads, stripey on Whimbrel, there must be some good shots in the gallery for example.